DescriptionA small Mantella. Small specimens of slender appearance, large specimens rather stout, 17-24 mm (F 23-24 mm). Head, dorsum and posterior part of flanks yellow, orange or light green, sometimes (mainly in the yellowish specimens) with fine black spots. Sometimes an indistinct dark middorsal line and traces of a diamond marking. Head laterally, and anterior flanks generally black (black pattern can be largely reduced in some specimens), with a sharp dorsolateral colour border. Light frenal stripe present, often interrupted in the yellowish specimens. Bright red flashmarks present. Iris with some light pigment in its upper part. Ventrally black with a variable number and extension of grey to bluish-white or yellowish markings, sometimes fusing to form an irregular network. Horseshoe marking present and mostly distinct, but poorly expressed in some specimens. Hindlimbs sometimes uniformly orange or reddish ventrally, except the red ventral flashmark extension on the tibia. In other specimens, orange colour only present on tibia (except flashmark area); foot, tarsus and femur being black with grey-whitish markings.

Similar species: The colouration of typical M. crocea is unique, but other populations show all intermediates between M. crocea and M. milotympanum. A reliable distinction of these two forms is therefore not possible.

Ambohimanarivo, Ambohitantely, Ampangadimbolana, Ihofa, north of Fierenana. It occurs between 800-1,057m asl in secondary forest and forest edge around swamps but not open areas (Raxworthy and Vences 2008).

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special BehaviorsM. crocea is active during the day. The call consists of an irregular series of short chirping notes.

Breeding takes place in swamps where the larvae develop (Raxworthy and Vences 2008).

Trends and ThreatsEndangered: extent of occurrence is less than 5,000 km2 and its area of occupancy is probably less than 500km2, it is known from a single location, and the extent of its forest habitat in east-central Madagascar is declining, and the number of mature individuals might also be declining through over-exploitation.It has not been recorded from any protected areas, but is likely to occur in Parc National de Mantadia and the Réserve Naturelle Intégrale de Zahamena. A carefully regulated trade is required for this species (Raxworthy and Vences 2008).

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

General habitat alteration and lossHabitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activitiesIntensified agriculture or grazingUrbanizationHabitat fragmentation

CommentsTaken with permission from Glaw and Vences (2007).

References

Glaw, F., and Vences, M. (2007). Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Third Edition. Vences and Glaw Verlag, Köln.

Written by Miguel Vences and Frank Glaw (m.vences AT tu-bs.de), Assistant Professor and Curator of Vertebrates at the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics in the Zoological Museum at the University of Amsterdam.First submitted 2000-12-13Edited by Henry Zhu (2009-05-06)